June Collyer (born Dorothea Heermance; August 19, 1906 – March 16, 1968) was an American film actress of the 1920s and 1930s.

June Collyer
Collyer in 1929
Born
Dorothea Heermance

(1906-08-19)August 19, 1906
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 16, 1968(1968-03-16) (aged 61)
Resting placeChapel of the Pines Crematory, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1927–1958
Spouse
(m. 1931; died 1967)
Children2
RelativesBud Collyer (brother)
Marian Shockley (sister-in-law)

Early life

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Born in New York City,[1] Collyer chose to use her mother's maiden name[2] when she decided to pursue acting. Her father was Clayton Heermance, an attorney in New York.[3]

Career

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A debutante[4] chosen by Allan Dwan, Collyer had her first starring role in 1927 when she starred in East Side, West Side.[5] She did a total of 11 silent films, and she made a successful transition to sound movies.

 
Collyer in 1928

In 1928, she was one of 13 girls selected as "WAMPAS Baby Stars", an honor her future sister-in-law Marian Shockley received in 1932. In 1930, Collyer starred opposite Louise Dresser and Joyce Compton in The Three Sisters, and the same year, she starred with Claudia Dell in Sweet Kitty Bellairs. She starred in 19 films from 1930 to 1936. She took a break in the 1940s, either by choice or due to her not receiving starring roles. During the 1950s, she returned to acting, having a regular role on the television series The Stu Erwin Show (or Trouble with Father) from 1950 through 1955, starring with her husband Stu Erwin. She played in one episode of the 1958 series Playhouse 90, then retired.

Personal life

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Collyer was the sister of Bud Collyer,[6] and her sister-in-law was actress Marian Shockley. On July 22, 1931, in Yuma, Arizona,[7] she married actor Stu Erwin.[5] Together they had two children, including producer Stuart Erwin Jr. (1932–2014).[8][9] They remained wed until he died in December 1967, a few months before her death.[citation needed]

She remained in Los Angeles.[citation needed]

Death

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Collyer died at the age of 61 on March 16, 1968, of bronchial pneumonia.[5] She was interred at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.[citation needed]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 23. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  2. ^ Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John (2008). The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 241. ISBN 9780786431984. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  3. ^ "Talkies' Funny Man, Bride Return to Hollywood Home". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. July 28, 1931. p. 26. Retrieved August 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Landesman, Fred (2007). The John Wayne Filmography. McFarland. p. 133. ISBN 9781476609225. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Willis, John (1969). Screen World: 1969. Biblo & Tannen Publishers. p. 233. ISBN 9780819603104. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  6. ^ "Monday's Highlights" (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 13 (4): 43. February 1940. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  7. ^ "June Collyer Weds". The Scranton Republican. Pennsylvania, Scranton. Associated Press. July 23, 1931. p. 4. Retrieved August 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ "Stu Erwin, Development Executive at Universal, Dies at 82". www.yahoo.com.
  9. ^ "Stu Erwin, Development Executive at Universal, Dies at 82". variety.com.
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